Low Cost Inspection for Improved Wind Turbine Blade Reliability

Predictive model for the detection of out-of-plane defects formed during textile-composite manufacture

“…For example, the wind energy industry has experienced complications from wrinkle and wave defects that reduce turbine blade fatigue life. These blades can experience catastrophic failure due to fiber misalignment resulting from unintended out-of-plane features [14]. Furthermore, Hallett et al demonstrated that wrinkles in composite coupons severely reduce the compressive strength by 33%, regardless of wave angle, and observed premature delamination under tensile loading due to straightening of misaligned fibers causing increased inter-laminar shear [15][16][17].…”